Nellore district earns national recognition for groundwater conservation

The Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district has gained national recognition for its impressive efforts in boosting groundwater levels and promoting water conservation. Under the leadership of District Collector Himanshu Shukla, the district successfully implemented large-scale rainwater harvesting and conservation activities as part of the Jal Sanchay-Jan Bhagidari programme.

At a ceremony held in New Delhi on Tuesday, Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil presented the national award to Collector Shukla. District Water Management Agency (DWMA) Project Director Gangabhavani also took part in the award presentation. The award was given in appreciation of the district’s effective completion of 5,502 water conservation works.

Nellore received the Jal Sanchay-Jan Bhagidari 1.0 National Award under the South Zone category. The honour reflects the district’s strong performance in implementing water management measures, ensuring water security, and encouraging public participation in conserving every drop of water.

All the works were carried out under the guidance of the DWMA, following the Union Government’s water conservation guidelines. The initiative focused on capturing rainwater, improving groundwater recharge, addressing seasonal water shortages, and spreading awareness about the importance of water protection.

In the 2024-25 financial year, several works were completed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) scheme, including farm ponds, percolation pits, feeder channels, check dams, water harvesting structures, rooftop harvesting systems, trenches, and desiltation of local tanks. These combined efforts helped recharge groundwater on a large scale and earned Nellore district recognition at the national level.